How do you calculate the formal charge on each atom in #O_3#?

1 Answer
anor277
Nov 5, 2016

By drawing the Lewis structure of the molecule. Formal charge separation is observed.

Explanation:

Each oxygen atom contributes 6 valence electrons to the #O_3# molecule, and thus we have to account for 9 electron pairs.

A Lewis structure of #""^(-)O-O^(+)=O# is reasonable, where from left to right as written each oxygen atom is associated with #7#, #5#, and #6# electrons.

Since in each oxygen atom there are 8 nuclear protons, and 2 inner core electrons, around each oxygen atom there are #9#, #7#, and #8# electrons, which accounts for the individual formal charges.

So what is the shape of the molecule if the central oxygen has a lone pair, a double bond, and a single bond?

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